The 76ers are trying to separate themselves from former team president Bryan Colangelo, who resigned last week in the aftermath of his wife admitting to running multiple burner Twitter accounts that advanced a pro-Colangelo message and ripped many other people (including current Philadelphia players).

But the 76ers can’t completely divorce themselves from Colangelo. Beyond the lingering stench of the Twitter scandal, he made a franchise-altering move last summer.

Under Colangelo, Philadelphia traded the No. 3 pick and a valuable future first-rounder to move up to the No. 1 pick and get Markelle Fultz. Fultz struggled through a disappointing rookie year while Jayson Tatum, whom the Celtics took third, looked like a future star. No. 2 pick Lonzo Ball also looked more promising than Fultz.

But that doesn’t mean the 76ers aren’t trying to separate themselves from that deal.

after Fultz struggled in his workout with the Sixers last June, league sources say some Sixers front-office members suggested that despite making the trade, the team should have taken a second look at Tatum or Lonzo Ball. But the idea was shot down by Colangelo, according to sources. Fultz was the choice. There was no turning back.

Besides Colangelo, the 76ers’ front office largely remains in place. This sounds like other executives trying to improve their own career prospects – whether it’s ascending to Colangelo’s job, looking more attractive to other teams in event of a shakeup or even just trying to remain in place under Brett Brown’s leadership. That blunder made on our watch? It wasn’t me.

And maybe that’s fair. If these other executives were down on Fultz, that’d indicate their acumen in evaluating talent. The whole point of judging prior work in job searches should be to predict someone’s ability for that opening. (Likewise, these executives’ unseen misevaluations should also be considered, though people don’t leak those.)

But here’s the awkward part: Fultz also remains in Philadelphia. How does he like hearing other members of the organization wanted to pass on him? If he has a confidence problem, that won’t help.

This leak is self-serving by the people who made it – which gets to a fundamental flaw in Barbara Bottini’s logic. For people in the NBA to advance their own agendas, even at the expense of others in the same organization, there are better ways than burner Twitter accounts. Leak it to a reporter and receive anonymity. Nobody is calling for an investigation into O’Connor’s sources or saying they should be fired if discovered. Everyone is shaking their head at Colangelo, maybe feeling some way about Fultz, and moving on.

Covington has missed the last 34 games while recovering from a right knee bone bruise, originally suffered on December 31 at New Orleans. Covington had made improvements in his recovery and had progressed to on-court activities, in preparation to rejoin the team. However, he recently suffered a setback which will require further treatment before returning to the court and as a result, is expected to miss the remainder of the season.

Rose has missed the last four games while experiencing soreness and swelling in his right elbow. An MRI taken Tuesday at Mayo Clinic Square revealed a chip fracture and a loose body in his elbow. The team and Rose are currently exploring further treatment options and he is expected to miss the remainder of the season.

Teague has missed the last four games after reaggravating a left foot injury, originally suffered in December. On Tuesday, Teague received an injection designed to treat chronic inflammation. He will wear a boot and is scheduled to be reevaluated in approximately three weeks. He is expected to miss the remainder of the season.

The language – “expected to miss the remainder of the season” – allows the possibility of the players returning. But the Timberwolves wouldn’t set this expectation unless they were pretty certain the players were finished.

Covington deserved All-Star consideration, and maybe Minnesota would still be in the playoff mix if he remained healthy. He was also heading toward an All-Defensive team before getting hurt. I doubt 35 games, even at 34 minutes per game, will be enough to get him selected now. Paul George, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Draymond Green clearly belong ahead of him. Covington has an outside chance for that fourth spot, though.

Rose had a bounce-back year after it appeared he could fall out of the NBA entirely. He looks like a solid backup point guard. He’ll draw plenty of interest in free agency this summer.

Teague has a $19 million player option for next season. He already seemed likely to exercise it, and this only increases the odds. The 30-year-old had a relatively down season.

Teague’s and Rose’s absences will leave the ball in Tyus Jones‘ hands at point guard. Jones has looked good in a small role, and this offers him an opportunity to prove himself before restricted free agency this summer.

Importantly for Towns, Minnesota’s depth at point guard allows him to play with someone credible at the position while he attempts to finish the season strong. There’s a lot of room to produce for the Timberwolves now, though Towns will likely face double-teams even more frequently.

Guard Jimmer Fredette has agreed to a two-year deal with the Phoenix Suns, league sources tell @TheAthleticNBA@Stadium. Team option on second season for Fredette, who is returning to NBA once he receives his clearance from China.

Fredette won’t change the course of the Suns’ season. They are and will remain one of the NBA’s worst teams. Though they need a point guard, especially with Tyler Johnson injured, Fredette hasn’t shown the playmaking ability to handle that position regularly.

At best, Fredette entertains late in a lost season and gives himself a chance to earn a role next season. The team option gives Phoenix upside if Fredette pans out at no additional cost if he doesn’t.

At worst, he interferes with the development of younger Suns over their final 10 games. That seems more likely.

The Thunder should investigate this. Talk to arena workers who were in the area. Maybe fans, too. Racist jeers obviously shouldn’t be tolerated.

I’d be surprised if she shouted the n-word without it immediately becoming a major incident, though. As the Donald Sterling saga reminded us, that’s the type of racism is not tolerated by society. Discrimination in housing and employment – things that destroy lives – get ignored. People can get away with coded racist language and terms with racist undertones some are ignorant to. But get publicly exposed saying something clearly racist – especially the n-word – and a firestorm usually erupts.

Some have suggested she couldn’t have been yelling “Nader” because he wasn’t in the game. That doesn’t hold up. Fans often yell at players on the bench.

Again, I don’t know what she said. VanVleet’s and Siakam’s interest should prompt the Thunder to investigate and explain their findings.